Fossil-fuel Power Plant Operator Science & Engineering Technicians
SaveWhat Does a Fossil-fuel Power Plant Operator Do?
Fossil-fuel power plant operators operate and maintain industrial equipment, such as generators, turbines and boilers, that provides electricity produced from fossil fuels like natural gas or coal. They ensure the safety of operations and that the equipment complies with legislation. They may also work in combined cycle power plants which use heat recovery systems to recover exhaust heat from one operation and activate steam turbines.
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Where Do I Start?
Electric Generators
The principles and operations of devices that can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, such as dynamos and alternators, rotors, stators, armatures, and fields.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Fossil-fuel Power Plant Operator
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialElectric Generators knowledge
The principles and operations of devices that can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, such as dynamos and alternators, rotors, stators, armatures, and fields.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialElectricity knowledge
Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialElectric Current knowledge
Flow of electric charge, carried by electrons or ions in a medium such as an electrolyte or a plasma.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialElectrical Power Safety Regulations knowledge
The compliance with safety measures which need to be taken during the installation, operation, and maintenance of constructions and equipment which function in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialMechanics knowledge
Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialFossil-fuel Power Plant Operations knowledge
The different steps in the production of electricity using fossil fuels and the function of all the components of the required equipment such as boilers, turbines and generators.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialApply Health And Safety Standards skill
Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Electrical Equipment skill
Test electrical equipment for malfunctions. Take safety measures, company guidelines, and legislation concerning electrical equipment into account. Clean, repair and replace parts and connections as required.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMonitor Electric Generators skill
Monitor the operation of electric generators in power stations in order to ensure functionality and safety, and to identify need for repairs and maintenance.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMonitor Gauge skill
Oversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMonitor Utility Equipment skill
Monitor equipment which provides utility services such as power, heat, refrigeration, and steam, in order to ensure they are functional, operate according to regulations, and to check for faults.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTroubleshoot skill
Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWear Appropriate Protective Gear skill
Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialControl Steam Flows skill
Admit steam through lines or fuel to furnace to heat drier.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Boiler skill
Operate sealed vessels which contain fluids which are heated or vaporised, not always up to boiling, for heating or power generation, such as in utilities. Ensure safe procedures by monitoring …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Steam Turbine skill
Operate equipment which uses thermal energy, extracted from pressurised steam, to generate rotary motion. Ensure that the turbine is balanced, and operates according to safety regulations and legislation, by monitoring …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRegulate Steam Pressure skill
Regulate steam pressure and temperatures according to specifications.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 24 displayed)
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OptionalElectricity Consumption knowledge
The different factors which are involved in the calculation and estimation of electricity consumption in a residence or facility, and methods in which electricity consumption can be lowered or made …
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalNatural Gas knowledge
The various facets of natural gas: its extraction, processing, constituents, uses, environmental factors, etc.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalFossil Fuels knowledge
The types of fuels which contain high doses of carbon and include gas, coal, and petroleum, and the processes by which they are formed, such as the anaerobic decomposition of …
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalAdvise On Equipment Maintenance skill
Advise customers on the appropriate products, methods and, if necessary, interventions to ensure proper maintenance and prevent premature damage of an object or an installation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalArrange Equipment Repairs skill
Arrange for equipment repairs when necessary.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCoordinate Electricity Generation skill
Communicate the current demand of electricity generation to electricity generation workers and facilities in order to ensure that the generation of electrical power can be increased or decreased accordingly.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEnsure Compliance With Electricity Distribution Schedule skill
Monitor the operations of an electrical energy distribution facility and electricity distribution systems in order to ensure that the distribution goals and the electricity supply demands are met.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEnsure Compliance With Environmental Legislation skill
Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEnsure Safety In Electrical Power Operations skill
Monitor and control operations on an electrical power transmission and distribution system in order to ensure that major risks are controlled and prevented, such as electrocution risks, damage to property …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalLiaise With Engineers skill
Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Records Of Maintenance Interventions skill
Keep written records of all repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, including information on the parts and materials used, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Minor Repairs To Equipment skill
Conduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRead Engineering Drawings skill
Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalReport On Production Results skill
Report on production to the hierarchy. Mention a specified set of parameters, such as amount produced and timing, and any issues or unexpected occurrences.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalResolve Equipment Malfunctions skill
Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions; communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRespond To Electrical Power Contingencies skill
Set in motion the strategies created for responding to emergency situations, as well as respond to unforeseen problems, in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power, such as power …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTrain Employees skill
Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalClose Circuit Breaker skill
Synchronize incoming generating units with units already in operation. Close the circuit breaker at the exact instant of coincidence between both unit types.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain System Logs skill
Maintain system logs or manuals to document equipment testing and operation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Ash Handling Equipment skill
Monitor and control the different types of machines, such as dewatering bins or vibrating ash conveyor, used to remove ash from under the boiler, cool it and dry it to …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOperate Gas Turbines skill
Operate equipment which uses thermal energy to produce electricity by injecting gas into pressurised air and igniting it to generate a high-temperature flow that will set the turbine in motion. …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalReplace Large Components skill
Dismantle and reassemble equipment or system parts in order to replace large defective elements such as generators or engines.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRespond To Emergency Calls For Repairs skill
Respond promptly to clients' emergency calls for repairs and troubleshooting of devices.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTend Compressor Engine skill
Tend the gas compression engines by starting them, monitoring the process of gas compression and performing small maintenance tasks.
Course recommendations coming soon.